One of the hardest parts of being a fashionista was balancing the pressures of immediacy within an ever-changing medium. Clients wanted the latest fashions and they wanted them now. But dresses took time to make. They needed to be designed first, then came experimenting with fabrics and colors, because pieces often looked different as they transitioned from the page to the real world. And after that transition they still needed to be sewn and tweaked so that they were perfect; and all of that need needed to be finished before the current trends ended; lest a designer be stuck with last season’s dresses taking up valuable retail space.
So, to satisfy clients for whom time was paramount while still offering whatever the flavor of the month was, Rarity had developed a few tricks. One, of course, was to keep an eye on the fashion world so that she might predict which way style trends were likely to break. Prance and Marelan being two hotspots that kept her attention. The other was to try and ensure all her designs had a timeless elegance to them; clean lines and complementary colors looked good no matter what season it was. Between those two things and some salesmareship Rarity could usually satisfy whoever ran into her shop urgently demanding the latest fashion for an event taking place tomorrow night.
“Subtle is in this year, and those vines with the small pink flowers would accent your eyes nicely,” Rarity said as she tried to persuade her latest customer that the dress she was holding was indeed what she was looking for.
Before the mare considering the dress could respond, their conversation was interrupted by the sound of a door slamming. Rainbow Dash burst into the showroom of the Carousel Boutique, nostrils flaring. “What did you do!” she shouted.
Rarity managed to restrict her anger at both the entrance and the accusation to a smile through gritted teeth. “Hello, Rainbow. As you can see, I’m with a client right now. Perhaps we could talk about this in a few minutes?” she said, barely opening her mouth lest her faux smile be proven false.
In response, Rainbow turned her attention to the very surprised mare still holding the pink flower accented silver dress. “Hey you, her dresses suck.”
“Excuse me!” Rarity choked out as she visibly recoiled from such an uncouth characterization of her stellar work.
Rainbow ignored the accusatory tone in her friend's voice and kept talking. “Yeah, they’ll fall apart the second you leave the shop. You’re better off buying from Filthy’s Barnyard Bargains.”
“I assure you that—”
“Nope, they suck,” Rainbow said with an emphatic shake of her head.
The mare holding the dress quickly backpedled toward the door before she became a witness to a crime. “I can come back later,” Rarity’s now ex-client stammered, before beating a hasty retreat.
As soon as the door closed, Rarity flared her horn and flipped the sign so that the “closed” side faced the street. She fixed Rainbow with a decidedly hostile glare, furrowing her brow and grinding her hoof into the carpeted floor. “You just cost me a sale, probably a client, and you damaged my sterling reputation, which I have worked very hard to maintain!” she shrieked, no longer needing or wanting to hide her emotions.
Rainbow snorted. “It’s not so fun when someone messes with your life, is it?”
Rarity, rubbed her temples with both hooves and let out an exasperated sigh.“I swear, I have no idea what you could possibly be talking about.”
“Scoots came to talk to me today,” Rainbow said, figuring that explanation was all that was necessary.
Oh
Rarity’s voice softened as she imagined how that conversation must have gone. Between Scootaloo’s simple adoration and Rainbow’s startling lack of decorum it wouldn’t have surprised her if it went even worse than she had imagined. “That needed to be done,” Rarity whispered, unable to maintain eye contact with the mare standing in front of her.
“You needed to tell her I wanted to adopt her?”
Rarity’s head jerked sharply upwards. “I did no such thing!”
“Then where did she get the idea from, huh?”
“From you! You uncultured boorish narcissist!”
Rarity’s accusation left Rainbow visibly shaken. So much so that she sat down on her haunches until she remembered that she was still angry. She stood back up and resumed her yelling. “What the hay are you talking about? I never said I was going to adopt her, I didn’t even know she wanted to be adopted until you told me.”
“Hmph, imagine that, you were too busy thinking about yourself to notice what somepony else wanted! I’m shocked,” Rarity said, sarcasm dripping from the last two words.
Rainbow rolled her eyes, having heard Rarity’s insult too often for it to have any real effect. “Oh shut it. Who are you to make that call anyway, huh? Squirt and I had a good thing going and you’ve wrecked it.”
Who am I? I’m…. Well, I’m…
“I care about her,” she whispered, almost as though she was admitting it to herself as much as Rainbow. Rarity’s voice grew louder. “And until another option presents itself I am responsible for her.”
“Bang up job you’re doing there.” Rainbow sneered.
“At least I’m trying to help!” Rarity fired back.
But Rainbow refused to be cowed. She had thought a lot about Scootaloo since her last fight with Rarity and each time she came to the same conclusion, adopting her wouldn’t be fair to either of them. And she wasn’t being unreasonable by refusing to completely upend her life no matter how much Rarity tried to guilt her. Rainbow jabbed a hoof accusingly toward Rarity “No, you don’t get to pin that on me. We’ve been over this, you want my help, let me know what I can do. But I can’t adopt her, Rarity.”
Rarity lowered her head, trying to make eye contact so that Rainbow could register the concern in her voice. “Can you even imagine what it's like to feel as though nopony loves you. That’s what she’s going through,” she answered.
“Yeah, it's sad. But that isn't my responsibility!” Rainbow paused as she let Rarity’s words sink in. She really couldn’t imagine what it was like to feel well and truly alone in the world, but that didn’t change her belief that adopting Scootaloo would create more problems than it solved, for Scoots as well as her. “I do love her, but like a sister y’know?” she added, her voice more subdued now.
Rarity was forced to concede that she had been a little hard on Rainbow these past few days. Though if she had been it was only because the emotional stakes warranted it. She nodded, hoping her eyes conveyed some level of understanding that words couldn’t express. “I know, but I don't think you understand how much she loves you. All she wants is for you to adopt her, to love her. And when the idea that you might not came up, I don’t think she knew how to handle it.”
“Is that what you did? You just told her I didn't want to adopt her, out of the blue?” Rainbow asked, almost in disbelief.
Rarity considered whether Rainbow’s accusation had any merit. Thier conversation hadn’t exactly been “out of the blue” and she didn’t actually say the words Rainbow doesn’t want to adopt you. “Not exactly, no... but it's true, isn't it?”
“Yeah... but… she's not my responsibility,” Rainbow mumbled.
“Quite right, for the time being she's mine.” A troubling thought entered her head. Rainbow was here, Scootaloo was undoubtedly upset, but where was she? The question needed an answer. “Where is she?”
Rainbow shrugged apologetically. “I don’t know, she ran off.”
Rarity’s eyes grew wide as her heart started to race. “You let an emotionally traumatized filly just run away?”
“What was I supposed to do? It didn’t seem like she wanted to talk to me anymore.”
Rarity grunted a most un-lady like grunt. She couldn’t exactly argue with that thanks to her own experiences with being on Scootaloo’s “no talking” list. But as stubborn as the orange filly could be, it wouldn’t help solve any of the problems Rainbow, and maybe herself, had just created if they let her just wallow in self pity.
“We need to find her.”
I personally think that Rarity was far too kind to Rainbow here. The way RD has been leading Scootaloo on has been beyond cruel and long term maybe even directly harmful.
Something felt off about the chapter today. Dialogue felt a little stilted, maybe? I couldn't get immersed like a usually do. Hmm, Ill think on it.
Rainbow Dash, I know you're mad with Rarity for what she did. But surely you know that two wrongs don't make a right.
Yes, Rainbow Dash, you had a good thing going with Scootaloo, but part of that came from the false belief that you cared enough about her to adopt her when she could fly on her own. No, you don't HAVE to adopt Scootaloo, because it's an unfair demand to make out of you, but you don't get to keep all the benefits you reaped of that previous situation either. Rarity did not wreck it, you did.
There, all my feelings said.
Dash... I'm not sure if to call you oblivious or just cruel, but then again you could say the same thing about Rarity.
Compare the Spike-Rarity situation here, the only thing that differs is that one of them is romantic love, and the other is love between family members.
Rainbow Dash- get your head out of that egotistical hole you've had it stuck in ever since Scoots started idolizing you. You don't just suck up that. You have to deserve it. You know Scoots adores you but you don't want to believe that she thinks you'll adopt her, so you blame it on Rarity. Grow up, stop pointing hooves, and accept your stupid, idiotic, narcissistic mistakes already!
Also- why ruin Rarity's business? I'd actually like that dress . . .
So you lead Scootaloo on thinking you'ed adopt her?
Like you lead Spike on?
another option prevents itself -----presents a boo boo
I know how you feel Scoots, I get the same stuff It really sucks Yeah but you can't help who you love and heros die hard.
Rarity, Rainbow you're going to get it so bad
pre13.deviantart.net/296e/th/pre/i/2015/020/4/d/no_spike_no_by_hillbe-d8eqts7.jpg
6066547
6066533 I have to admit, I didn't think much about spike in this fic. I think there are a few differences between the two that I won't get into here in case I decide to introduce that conflict into the story. But thanks for bringing it up, definitely something to think about .
Sorry RD Scoots has always assumed you'd adopt her and Rarity didn't want to lie to her charge so you forced the situation by never stating that you wouldn't adopt her. You have valid reason for not adopting her but none to tell her you can't.
... I have to agree. Rarity felt just a bit off. Not sure what it was, but it feels like she, IDK, submitted too quickly, didn't fight back enough, or... I don't know, exactly. It just didn't REALLY feel to me like the emotion was really there, I guess. Like, it completely felt like READING about an argument instead of being IN the argument, if that makes any sense. After the first few paragraphs, I didn't feel... invested? Involved? Not sure what word to use here.
Two things. One: I found, basically, the only error in this chapter.
Two: One can only imagine what it must be like to have someone who looks up to you, only to have that someone be told that you don't care about them the way they thought you did. It's kinda sad to see Scoots that way, but she'll come out of this feeling stronger than when she walked into this problem,
please tell me when the mane 6 hear about this rainbow is going to be getting the cold shoulder for a while, she deserves it. seriously most of the fault defiantly lies with her here and then what she did for rarities business it would be ridiculously out of character for them to let it go.
6066438 what do you mean with Rainbow was leading Scooaloo on? I mean she said it herself, she never really mentioned it to Scootaloo, but i would admit, that she maybe should have thought about the way, she was acting around Scootaloo. I don´t remember if Rainbow knew that Scootaloo had no home, but if she knew it, then she should have thought about the way she acted around her.
6066458 i am not sure if you are against Rainbow here or not, but she has as much fault as Rarity here.
I am not sure if someone can blame her for just being stupid about such things in life, maybe a bit, but if she is that way she can´t do much about it.
I agree that Rarity should not have tried to force Rainbow to adopt her, because she would have to change her life, maybe even abandon her dreams, she has a life to, only because she is older doesn´t make it right to force her to do something like that.
I mean if Rarity thinks Rainbow could do it, then Rarity could do it too.
That Rarity forced the things to happen, didn´t really helped either, i think she should have talked with Rainbow befor she mentioned anything to Scootaloo, so that Rainbow could have thought about it too. Rarity never mentioned, that Scootaloo wanted to be adopt from her right?, rell Rainbow wasn´t able to figure it out herself, but she liked Scootaloo pretty much, she just didn´t kew what she was doing with her affection towards Scootaloo.
I was not sure, but i guess you didn´t said that Rainbow wanted Scootaloo to fly first right? I think you said there, that Rarity could not force Rainbow right? Should you exactly mean it like that, then i would say that i don´t remember that Ranibow Dash ever said that, i believe that was something only Scootaloo thought.
6066533
I agree with you there, and if Rarity would know about Spike, well it would not be much nicer.
6066542
I don´t think that she don´t want to believe that, she just don´t wanted to adopt her, she did just complain to Rarity, the way i understand that problem here is, that Rainbow just don´t understand how much that means for Scootaloo. I honestly don´t think one of them did much better, but Rainbow just didn´t wanted to change her life, she can´t just adopt her if she could not life her own life, like she wished it to be afterwards.
6066547
Where do you get that, that Rainbow would know that she is leading Scootaloo on? Everything i hear is, that she doesn´t knew what Scootaloo felt all the time, and how serious it was for her.
6066615
No one told her that Scootaloo wanted Rainbow to adopt her i believe, she only knew that Rarity was searching for parents, that is what i remember, i am just not 100% sure if Rainbow knew more or not.
Rainbow can´t just change her life because of Scootaloo, i mean yeah it would be really nice, and i want that too, but it would be mean towards Rainbow Dash as well, she could not really concentrate on her Dreams like she wanted, if Rainbow would really have to travel trough the Country, or anything like that as a Wonderbolt, and could not be home, she could probably be no Wonderbolt because of Scootaloo.
6066642
I am really not sure, but maybe they already talked to much about it, and rarity is just tired about that topic.
I am not sure why everyone is against Rainbow here, she didn´t did that much bad stuff, she just didn´t wanted to change her life, because she could probably not even be a Wonderbolt, i think that was a problem to in the story, she can´t just say "okay i don´t want to be a Wonderbolt anymore, come Scootaloo".
I agree even if she was angry she didn´t had to do those things to Rarity and her shop, even if Rarity forced this to happen, Scootaloo just talked to her.
6066838 You can lead by example or omission Don't need to say yes just don't say no.
Drink less coffee.
6066828 Okay, I'll be honest, I have trouble understanding what you are saying. You are rambling and going in every directions at once, and it's rather hard to follow.
I am generally against Rainbow Dash here. She's angry that her relationship with Scootaloo was damaged after their talk. Except it's Rainbow's own fault. She didn't talk to the filly before and when the topic came up, she tried to deflect the issue, considered lying and didn't even stick around when Scootaloo tried to run away. And she's blaming Rarity for that? They way things were going, that confrontation was inevitable, as Scootaloo was running out of options in Ponyville. It's pretty much guaranteed she'd have at least tried to talk to Rainbow about it before being forced to leave.
Honestly, I already said that RD does not have the responsibility to adopt Scootaloo. No one can force her to, and she's right not to let others pressure her into this. My problem with her is that she more or less leads Scootaloo on about that issue, trying to be like a family member without the actual responsibility. And more importantly, RD benefits greatly from the confidence boost and the admiration she receives from the very filly that she doesn't want to adopt. It's fine, it's RD's life, but she can't expect to still have every single little benefits she had before if she doesn't want to step up. It's one or the other, and she's currently angry that she no longer can have both. Cry me a river.
It has nothing to do with Scoot's ability to fly, but if that issue isn't cleaned up, then it's obviously causing to cause a lot more problems down the line.
6066838 Personally, I think it's their more being upset with Rainbow Dash for being so oblivious to Scootaloo's feelings towards her, as well as how she just jumps to conclusions.
(I mean, after all, this story IS about Rarity and Scootaloo. It isn't so much that they/we WANT to see Rainbow Dash as the villain. It's just that, if we have to make either Dash or Rarity the 'bad guy', then people are more likely to side with the pony who ISN'T the main character of the story. It's just (for lack of a better word) common sense.)
wow is rainbow dumb. who crushes a fillies hopes and dreams, and then let's them run away to faust knows where? a fucktard, that's who.
Maybe single quotes or italics so it's more evident that this internal dialogue. I get what's going on, it's just a little strange looking to see non dialogue in quotes followed immediately by actual dialogue.
In fact that whole area is squished together into one paragraph, and it conflicts with the format of how you are writing paragraphs and dialogue.
I love this story. The dynamic you've created here is very well done. You even used the no strings attached Rainbow Dash well. They both care for Scoots deeply, and Rainbow is at least honest enough to say upfront she wouldn't be the best thing for her. The tragedy is Scoots probably won't understand. Typical Rainbow also didn't do very good job explaining it her. Poor Scoots.
Well, I hope that the conflict will resolve itself soon. In my opinion it has been going on for too long. Both Rarity and Rainbow have ignored each others points of view to the point the conflict starts to feel engineered. It is also getting a bit boring. This is already the third chapter we have seen The two clash without any major change in their opinions.
!!This criticism is not meant as insulting!! The story is way better than anything I could produce and the conflict has net reached the point were it becomes unbearable, but I think it's time the story moves on.
Perfect timing, I just got caught up this morning. You don't see scootadopt fics without rainbow doing the adopting much, i'm liking this so far. The conflict between rainbow and rarity was unexpected, but nice.
6066828 RD basically just acted like she was family to Scootaloo, never making it clear where they stood and dangling the sweet dream of being actual family with her right in front of Scootaloo. Never owning up to her behavior even after hearing about Scootaloos situation. That is extremely cruel to a child. To show a child their deepest wish only for it to be just out of reach. I'll admit that it was most likely just RDs narcissism and thoughtlessness but to a child that really hurts.
I shouldn't try to explain this after midnight. There is no way I managed to explain properly.
"Wait, you wouldn't lie to a kid to cover for me?! Well, the only proper thing to do is to directly sabotage your livelihood!"
6066882 I disagree. Well, RD didn't have too bash in on Rarity and weird out her customer like that, but Rarity was unfair on pressing her to adoption like that.
The question whether or not to adopt a child is up to only one party alone, and that is the future parent(s). Rainbow Dash does not feel up to adopting Scootaloo for various reasons. This might be sad, but it is her decision. Rarity might try to convince her, but the way she send accusations her way and encouraged Sootaloo was not okay and RD has a right to call her out for that.
I don't know why Rainbow is so hated. You are clearly influenced by how Rarity saw the situation. Rarity messed up this up, forcing Scootaloo confront R.D. on this before preparing RD to have this conversation. She did not even try to explain R.D. point of view to Scootaloo.
And yes if you take into account her relation with Spike, it reinforces my view that Rarity doesn't know how to handle kids.
I'm normally a huge Rainbow Dash fan, but there's a technicolor pony that needs to be slapped right now.
Man, RD, when did you become such a bitch? That thing with Rarity's customer and basically doing something that will affect her reputation? Not much of an element of loyalty, are you?
6067016
Dude. Rarity is not pushing Rainbow Dash to adopt. She's pushing RD to be honest with a filly that is despertate to be adopted by her. She was trying to let Scootaloo know it wasn't going to happen because RD wouldn't own up to it. She asked RD once, RD said no, and Rarity understood that, but she also cares enough for Scoots to not want her to lie to herself more and end up even more hurt.
Hmm, this was a unusually short chapter. I feel like there's a lot missing, that pieces have been cut out.
As much as I wanted to see the confrontation, I was willing to wait in order to get a more elaborate chapter. But that's neither here or there.
If I have to pick sides, I'd go with Rarity. While it was unfair of her to put Rainbow in a situation like she currently is, it was better in the long term. Yes, Scoots had her dream ruined, but now the healing can start and it's much easier to pick a new dream while you're still young.
As for Rainbow, she perfectly nailed how selfish she is. Sure, that's part of her charm, but there are limits to how far she can go. By playing the big sister, Rainbow receives all the benefits from the relationship, but does her best to avoid all the crap that comes with being a sibling. Yes, she doesn't have to sacrifice her dream for Scoots, but the least she could so is help the matter by showing some interest in who adopts Scoots. I think Rainbow is the kind of person who would love to have a puppy so that she can play with it, but would do almost anything so that she didn't have to feed it, or take it for walks. She wants all the good stuff and none of the bad.
At the same time, Rarity is doing her best to deal with Scoots's traumatized side of life. She gets to deal wit hall the crap and gets nothing in return. Okay, that's stretching it, since Scoots did warm up to Rarity a bit. However, the main thing Rarity has to deal with is one that is very unpleasant for everyone. I mean, every time Rarity is together with Scoots, its either careful political maneuvering through a psychological minefield or dealing with the adoption, whereas for Rainbow, a meeting with Scoots is usually all about compliments, admiration and having fun.
No reason Rarity was pissed at this.
Yes, Rarity might be telling herself that she is doing it for the sake of justice, so to speak, so that Sweetie Belle would be happy and that Scoots would be happy as well, and not because she loves Scoots or anything. However, I think that will soon change.
That's why I am on Rarity's side.
I love everything about this story so far. Everypony has been totally believable.
I know she's an emotionally troubled kid, but I hope Scoots realizes that she set an unrealistic expectation for herself and she never actually discussed Rainbow adopting her before. Dash needs to explain her position to better as well. Yes, she has plans for her life and that part of the argument 'seems' selfish (Its not really, somepony shouldn't be expected to just drop their entire future to help somepony else out), but she also honestly thinks that she wouldn't be a good mom.
6067185 I'm gonna be honest. I like my version better, Rarity bragging about how rich she is doesn't seem to fit the scene in my opinion.
6066967 Thank you. I'm a big fan of moral ambiguity.
6067133 Considering just how angry Rainbow Dash was? I can't say I'm too surprised she acted that way. Some people just don't act rationally in that state. I'm surprised she actually waited for the client to be out to lash out on Rarity.
I guess I can live with the chapter but reading the comments has ruined my day
6066828 I think you missed the pooint. Rainbow has a valid reason to say no to adopting Scoots. I have never said otherwise. THe issue is she never made it clear to scoots who thought if she just flew Rainbow would adopt her. Rarity didn't really force the issue. She got caught in a bad situation. Do you suggest that she lie to Scoots? All Rarity said was that she should talk to Rainbow. So Scoots went and had a dream shattered. There were no winners here. Scoots had a dream that had no real basis. Rainbow sadly didn't notice enough or even figure to tell Scoots her stance on it. She should of had a clue went Rarity first talked to her. Rarity herself has to work hard to earn Scoots trust with everything the poor filly has gone through. It's an all round tragedy but Rainbow blaming Rarity was wrong.
6067133 Bingo. RD has given a good reason why she won't adopt Scoots but has NEVER told Scoots that so the filly has adream that could never be. And when Scoots asked THE question to Rarity she was forced to either lie (And if the truth came out there goes any trust Scoots would have for her) or have Scoots face the truth.
I still agree with Rainbow Dash. If she doesn't want to adopt Scoots, then she shouldn't have to. She's nowhere near emotionally ready to be a parent, even if she were to think she was.
Rarity, though she means well, is just driving her friend away by trying to force her into something she's not ready for.
Well maybe Rainbow should stopped feeding Scootaloo's delusions for so long.
great, rainbow messed up, majorly!.. again!
I love how you play off both sides wonderfully. Where one side may seem justified where the other isn't, it plays off their characters well. I am looking forward to the next chapter.
6066642
I agree. Scoots isn't around, customer's gone. Rarity could, and has PLENTY of reason to lay into Rainbow and really just scour her bones clean. Rainbow Dash has been abusing Scootaloo by soaking up her affections on the nearly unspoken promise that they'd be a real family someday. The moment it comes up that Rainbow Dash could give the little girl everything she wants in life, but would actually have to become a responsible adult like people do in the real world when there's a kid who needs them, she ditches out faster than a new father in the ghetto. And considering I live here I can tell you I've seen them burn rubber fast as fuck. "It's not my responsibility!" You made it yours when you ate up all that love and affection without setting down boundaries and making sure everything was understood beforehand, Rainbow.
Rarity had all that to get onto her about, and for costing a customer, AND damaging Rarity's business - considering her clients are mostly word of mouth due to lack of advertising, so this 'shitty dress falls apart' thing is going to get around town. Maybe Rarity should tell Spitfire Dash would abandon an orphan whose entire emotionality is built on Dash's love and acceptance just to get in to their flying circus. See how Dash likes it. After all, Rarity's Generosity. NOT Loyalty. Though hey, maybe there's an opening. Dash is probably the least loyal to begin with. When Discord zapped her, she didn't really change any.
Either way, Rarity just rolled over, and basically held Rainbow's idiot ball. "Oh, Dash's argument sounds good if you don't think too hard about it and instead just think shallowly and selfishly."
6068159 Maybe no need to get quasi racist about this. (In point of fact Rainbow isn't "burning rubber" she's standing her ground. Whether or not that is acceptable is up to you.) (And when discord zapped her he made her falsely choose between her friends and cloudsdale, thus conflict her loyalty, not negating it)
6068122 Thanks
I do find it a little odd that the majority of the comments seem to be very anti Dash. Perhaps I'm not doing moral ambiguity as well as I thought.
6067809 most of the stuff you said right now is more or less exactly, what i wanted to say, but that you said Rainbow Dash would have forced something, and that i am not sure what you mean with he would have not reason to tell her not or something like that, confused me.
Okay i admit i maybe was a bit to tired again last night, and i sadly made a mistake with your comment.
6066884 what you are saying sounds somehow right, but i just can´t start to see that one of them did really something bad, because i believe i understand both of them, i really think that is something were no one of them can do much right, or much wrong.
I know that you have always someone who is choosed to be the bad guy.
6066873 honestlyy coffe would only help, at least i would be even more awake.
6066882
i agree with that part, sorry i guess my grammar was bad again. I hate it if that happense if i have something to say, but i believe i should stop writing in the NIght, i make more mistakes that way.
I guess what i wanted to say everytime was, that i don´t see the reason why Rainbow Dash should have done something that bad, i only think it was bad, that she choosed to ignore it, the moment Scootaloo tried to talk with her about it.
6068298 The problem is that Rd has failed to realize that Scoots thought she would adopt her. When Rarity mention the issue of adoption RD should have considered that Scoots might be dreaming of that very thing. She should have talked to Scoots much earlier about why she wouldn't adopt Scoots. Scoots learned this in the worst way. Rarity was forced into the issue and didn't want to lie to Scoots about it so she said the best thing she could about it. Talk to Rainbow.
6068221 I disagree. I think you pull off moral ambiguity very well. Rainbow feels that she is being forced into adopting Scootaloo, and in a way, Rarity is forcing it upon her. i think it is easy to hate on Dash because of the sympathy we have for Scoots. Rarity only wants what is best for her, and she firmly believes, or perhaps believed, that that is Rainbow Dash. Rainbow doesn't want to be an adoptive mother, and that is justified. Like I said, we all want Scoots be happy, and seeing her in pain because of Rainbow makes us hate on her. You can side with either pony and be equally justified, that is moral ambiguity done right.
6068221 i think you have got it just about right. Rainbow loves Scoots. and it's out of the love that she refuses to adopt Scoots because it would be dragging the poor kid around when she got into the Wonderbolts. It's a very fair and valid reason. The issue is that she hasn't clarified this to Scoots till now and it happened the worse possible way. (Rarity get off the fainting couch!) Rarity also what's what's best for Scoots and may disagree on RD for her reasons. However she did not want to talk about that subject with Scoots. However Scoots forced it with her questions and Rarity was left with three choices.
1: Tell the truth that RD will not adopt her. Scootaloo will like not believe her and any trust Rarity has gain will be gone. Not to mention the pain when Scoots confronts RD about it.
2: Lie. THis would ease Scoots till she realizes the truth and trust is gone likely for good and who knows were that would lead.
3: Deflect. This is what she did. RD has to be the one that tells Scoots the truth for her to believe it. It hurts like hell for her and a bit for RD but RD has brought on herself. Can't remeber how much time has past since the start but ever since Rarity appraoched her about adopting RD should have considered what Scoots might think of the situation. Had she done so this could have been less painful.
So the issue is not RD not wanting to adopt Scoots. IT her not telling Scoots till now.
6068372 That was well explained. Thanks.
6068352 Well okay, the only thing i could still say is, that if Rarity knew her friend that good, that she could have actually mentioned this to Rainbow Dash, i think Scootaloo mentioned this already a few times is that right? I don´t pretend that i am sure about that right now.
I am not sure if Rainbow Dash would be able to think about it that much, but i admit that it would get me to think about it sooner or later.
6068372 thank you, that actually sounds like the stuff i wanted to say a few times.
6068435 the problem is that the issue was litteraly dropped on Rarity. Scoots asked her a question on it and she could tell the truth or lie. She did what she thought best and told Scoots to talk to Rainbow.
okay reread that chapter before last. The problem is here that Scoots is hurting And Rarity want to mend the hurt. She thinks RD selfish for her actions and she's partially right considering that Scoots did have this belief in her. RD had to face this eventually. Could it have been done better? Hell yes but honestly RD should have considered the whole issue. She never considered that Scoots would want her to adopt her. She decided she couldn't (Has valid reason for it) and decided that was that. Well it isn't.
6068221
I'm not going to touch on why even thinking I was being racist with that is whack. I'm talkin' observable experience from my window here, old boy jumped in his car and dipped the fuck out. Family friend knew his girl, turned out she told him she was pregnant and he was GONE. #trufax
-snop-
Actually, that post will just get some personal freedoms moral crusader in the comments trying to spelunk my swarthy ass, and I'm trying to have a nice night with my wife, so I don't need the extra aggression it'd take to respond to them. So for now know that you misconstrued most of my post and what I was saying, and we disagree on some other points. But aside from Dash being an escapist I like the story. The Rarity and Scootaloo interactions are quite good.
6068221
As far as moral ambiguity, that's fine. But you don't control what we feel or our own experiences and opinions. It's your job to make it ambiguous and you have, but that doesn't mean we all have to agree with her. Most of us don't seem to, and Dash is performing a role of conflict quite well, in a believable way for believable reasons. But the story isn't about Dash, so it would be unbalanced if she was equivalent in importance and general morality to Rarity. Don't worry about making Dash look good, she's doing fine. Though perhaps try not to drag out her part too long?
... I wonder if that customer will ever come back.